M. Formery went over all the matters about which he had already questioned the Duke. He questioned the millionaire and his daughter about the Charolais, the theft of the motor-cars, and the attempted theft of the pendant. He questioned them at less length about the composition of their household—the servants and their characters. He elicited no new fact. He paused, and then he said, carelessly as a mere matter of routine: “I should like to know, M. Gournay-Martin, if there has ever been any other robbery committed at your house?” “Three years ago this scoundrel Lupin—” the millionaire began violently. “Yes, yes; I know all about that earlier burglary. But have you been robbed since?” said M. Formery, interrupting him. “No, I haven’t been robbed since that burglary; but my daughter has,” said the millionaire. “Your daughter?” said M. Formery. “Yes; I have been robbed two or three times during the last three years,” said Germaine. “Dear me! But you ought to have told us about this before. This is extremely interesting, and most important,” said M. Formery, rubbing his hands, “I suppose you suspect Victoire?” “No, I don’t,” said Germaine quickly. “It couldn’t have been Victoire. The last two thefts were committed at the château when Victoire was in Paris in charge of this house.” M. Formery seemed taken aback, and he hesitated, consulting his notes. Then he said: “Good—good. That confirms my hypothesis.” “What hypothesis?” said M. Gournay-Martin quickly. “Never mind—never mind,” said M. Formery solemnly. And, turning to Germaine, he went on: “You say, Mademoiselle, that these thefts began about three years ago?” “Yes, I think they began about three years ago in August.” “Let me see. It was in the month of August, three years ago, that your father, after receiving a threatening letter like the one he received last night, was the victim of a burglary?” said M. Formery. “Yes, it was—the scoundrels!” cried the millionaire fiercely. “Well, it would be interesting to know which of your servants entered your service three years ago,” said M. Formery. “Victoire has only been with us a year at the outside,” said Germaine. “Only a year?” said M. Formery quickly, with an air of some vexation. He paused and added, “Exactly—exactly. And what was the nature of the last theft of which you were the victim?” “It was a pearl brooch—not unlike the pendant which his Grace gave me yesterday,” said Germaine. “Would you mind showing me that pendant? I should like to see it,” said M. Formery. “Certainly—show it to him, Jacques. You have it, haven’t you?” said Germaine, turning to the Duke. “Me? No. How should I have it?” said the Duke in some surprise. “Haven’t you got it?” “I’ve only got the case—the empty case,” said Germaine, with a startled air. “The empty case?” said the Duke, with growing surprise.